Everything To Know About Placing A Rug Under Your Bed
If knowing which size rug under your bed is right for your room eludes you… fret no more. In fact, this is one of the most frequently asked questions in working with our interior design clients.
We think of the floor as the 5th wall of our home + that’s why we don’t want to ignore it!
Even if you have wall-to-wall carpeting, area rugs are an essential element of your home because not only do they layer in the unexpected, but they also go a long way in anchoring furniture in the room.
Whether it be character + charm, textures that feel cozy under foot or a splash of color that warms up a room — rugs are a must have.
But let's not kid ourselves, rug placement can often seem tricky.
With infinite styles + colors to pick from just when it feels like we’ve won the challenge there’s the exhaustive decision around figuring out which size rug should you buy *yikes!*
Well friend, take a deep breath because many of our clients are just like you — uncertain, overwhelmed by the worry that they’ll make the wrong decision when it comes to choosing an area rug for under your bed.
So, let’s get it right! Shall, we?
What Furniture Goes On A Rug?
Truthfully, we live by the rule that when it comes to creating home, there are no rules, just merely guidelines that help point you in the right direction. So, when it comes to figuring out exactly what bedroom furniture gets to sit on that gorgeous new rug of yours –– welp, we have options.
As a general rule of thumb, you should never have a rug that covers the entire floor (wall-to-wall) — instead what you want is to leave a minimum of 10-20” of breathing room between the base trim + the edge of your rug, this way it fills the space + you can feel confident that the rug won't feel like its randomly floating in the middle of your room. Especially if you always make sure to have at least the front two legs of a piece of furniture on the rug.
Now that we’ve tackled that hurdle…
Here is a quick list of our favorite rug placement options for under the bed:
OPTION 1
The entire bed, nightstands + if there’s a bench at the foot of the bed are all completely on the rug. This is a fantastic option for a large bedroom rug but beware that your bedroom has to be quite big to complete this look.
OPTION 2
Most of the bed + if there’s a bench at the foot of the bed are on the rug but the nightstands are not.
OPTION 3
The lower third of the bed + if there’s a bench at the foot of the bed are on the rug but nothing else is.
WHAT SIZE RUG FOR UNDER BED?
Now, when it comes to selecting the right size rug for under your bed, there are a handful of variables we need to consider such as...
how large your room is...
how much furniture you have in your bedroom…
and lets not forget about what size bed you have
Like I said, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to getting it right, but here’s a baseline to get you started for a QUEEN size bed:
And, here’s what size rug we recommend for a KING bed:
The Do's and Don'ts of Layering Rugs Over Carpet
Certainly, it is ok to layer a rug over carpet but it’s often one of the most frequently questioned ideas. Depending upon the carpet in your bedroom, if it’s a low-pile carpet, an area rug over top may look amazing + help to tie the entire room together.
As we mentioned in the previous paragraph, ensuring the correct rug pad is (psst… they make them specifically for over carpet) used will prevent the rug from rippling or breaking down.
Layering Rugs: A Secret to Great Bedroom Design
Layering is the secret to great design, + yes, bedroom rugs are no exception.
We like to layer a rug with natural fibers (like a jute or sisal which has lots of organic texture to it) with another patterned or vintage rug over top.
When layering area rugs, you’ll want to be mindful + consider the overall scale of both rugs in terms of how much you want to see of each. In an effort to ensure layering your bedroom area rugs feels intentional, make sure at least 3” of the base rug is visible + don’t be afraid to leave even more (like 10-12”).
What this does is ensures that each rug is given the proper attention *wink*
Choosing Kid and Pet-Friendly Rugs for Your Bedroom
A family-friendly household is absolutely possible, even with sticky fingers + dirty paws.
When it comes to adding rugs in a kids bedroom don’t just go for whatever’s cheapest because when it comes to anything in life –– you get what you pay for. Instead, consider a rug that will wear well over time + is easy to clean because, no matter how you look at it, kids are tough on things + durability is important!
Now when it comes to our beloved pets, stick to tight woven rugs or low pile rugs that help us add another layer of pattern + texture, otherwise, *yelp* it’s only a matter of time before those sweet little nails of theirs get snagged + caught in the fiber loops.
Well, there you have it...everything you need to know about rugs for your bedroom *wink*
An area rug under the bed is an absolute must (in most cases). Now you know the secrets to placing it perfectly within your bedroom layout. And remember, when it feels like there are too many overwhelming design decisions to be made, it’s important you keep in mind there are no rules... just guidelines :)
As always, if you need a nudge in the right direction or some support in bringing your dream home to life our team would be over-the-moon delighted to help!
If you haven’t already, check out our FREE video course: 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home and when you’re ready to begin your transformational journey — let’s chat.